Nintendo Announces "New 3DS", Xenoblade port

[Garlyle]

From the Nintendo Direct today: the "New" 3DS.  Beyond just the outer shell, there's functional changes including a native second control pad, Zl/Zr buttons, improved processing power, and various other tweaks.  Not just a slight physical change, this is akin to the difference between GB/GBC and DS/DSi - there will be games that only play on the more powerful hardware of the new system. 

Oh, and chief among them - a port of the contender for best RPG (if not best game) of the last console generation, Xenoblade Chronicles

[Suikama]

Unfortunately the New 3DS is only planned for Japan release for now. Nintendo pls


also my reaction when nintendo revealed it was "man nintendo you're making ANOTHER 3DS? This is just gonna confuse people even furth-OH MY GOD IS THAT A C-STICK. YES IT IS AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

[Stuffman]

Well, it's good I didn't buy a 3DS yet, isn't it? :V

[CF7]

Oh, and chief among them - a port of the contender for best RPG (if not best game) of the last console generation, Xenoblade Chronicles

This is just evil. /cry

[Gpop]

Well, it's good I didn't buy a 3DS yet, isn't it? :V

Ditto. Aww yeah.

[Drake]

I am screaming about this 3DS. Even SNES-colored ABXY was enough to grab me, but then they give a C-stick, ZL+ZR, better 3D viewing, and custom faceplates oh my god faceplates

[Third Eye Lem]

also my reaction when nintendo revealed it was "man nintendo you're making ANOTHER 3DS? This is just gonna confuse people even furth-OH MY GOD IS THAT A C-STICK. YES IT IS AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

I'm reminded of those old rubber stick nubs from older laptops...I'm not exactly impressed with this. I hope they change it. I do like the improvements to the 3D and the SD card expansion, however, and the new shoulder buttons are also welcome. :3c The Cover Plates also look kinda neat.

Stepping away from the console for a moment, I like the new games they also announced, particularly Final Fantasy Explorers. I might actually be willing to play that if it doesn't suck. And yay, XBC on the go! \o/ (I still need to play through that)

[The Hating Hater]

Why hasn't anyone notice that it's possible to remove the battery now?

You gotta feel bad for the regular 3ds owners, their wallets are going to get slaughered.
Then again, it been the case for:
Game Boy = Game Boy Color
GBA = GBA SP
DS = DS lite = DSi = DSi XL

[MewMewHeart]

-flips a table-
NINTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENDO!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU HAVE SOME EXPLAINING TO DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[MatsuriSakuragi]

I don't get it though. Is this the new generation of 3DS, or just another step up? I mean I get the new buttons are there but hrm.

I still don't like the size of XL ones but I can't argue that they're much better overall. Maybe I'll get the XL of this one when it comes out and just pretend I never cared about the validity of putting it in my pocket like mobile gaming should be done :T

[Colticide]

As sweet as it is... I spent $300 when I bought my XL and some games...I really don't want to go through that again so I better start saving.

[Jq1790]

I don't get it though. Is this the new generation of 3DS, or just another step up?

This is sort of like a 3DS 1.5, or 3DS U.  It isn''t a simple redesign anymore like the XL; it has more powerful hardware as stated above, hence how some games will be New 3DS Only, such as the Xenoblade port.

[WHMZakeri]

I picked the perfect time to have my 3ds break down.
I should pawn it to gamestop before it stops turning on altogether.

They're probably not going to announce a release date for english until holiday season is over though.

[trancehime]

This is sort of like a 3DS 1.5, or 3DS U.  It isn''t a simple redesign anymore like the XL; it has more powerful hardware as stated above, hence how some games will be New 3DS Only, such as the Xenoblade port.

This reminds me more of the DSi actually

[Garlyle]

This reminds me more of the DSi actually

Yeah, it's basically the DSi, or even the Game Boy Color, actually.  A lot of games still came out for just the 'base' system. In the case of the DSi it was just DSiware, which was largely unimpressive and so it didn't matter.  In the case of the GBC, it was a long term thing - there were still games released for a very long time that were made to be played on the GB, but over time the number of games that were GBC-only increased steadily. Hence the comparison in the opening post.

[Mounting Jaggis]

I've seen a lot of people complain about releasing a new handheld too soon. But don't Nintendo handhelds have a 3-4 year lifespan before a hardware upgrade? With the first Gameboy being the only exception.

[Colticide]

I think it could stem from those who got a 3ds late like myself. Honestly it felt like the 3ds didn't need an upgrade but that's what I get for not looking at patterns.

[Bio]

The DSi had 5 non notable exclusive titles. It has been two years since the 3DS has been released so it falls in line with previous redesigns. I expect there mostly to be Wii [/U]  ports being the only major exclusive titles (published by Nintendo at least)  or else they're going to lose money from sales. The only thing that gets me is the extra battery life which people have been complaining about for the 3DS

[Garlyle]

It has been two years since the 3DS has been released so it falls in line with previous redesigns.

3 and a half years, actually.

But about two since 3DSXL.